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Though the little archipelago of Bocas Del Toro has historically been the very model for postcards of palm-lined, empty beaches, massive development in the early 2000s gave its facade a rapid personality split. Rickety, thatched cottages lined up next to mid-range workhorse hotels and highfalutin luxury resorts, while fancy restaurants, street-food kiosks, surfing shops and yoga destinations peppered the islands' coastlines. The art of finding a place to stay in this heavily mixed bag of tropical attractions hinges on one point: the amount you're willing to spend.

While it's not anyone's idea of a family-friendly operation, travelers with a proclivity for staying up all hours and waking up for an afternoon of surfing will love Mondo Taitu Hostel. The daily pancake breakfasts may be free because hardly anyone is awake to enjoy them, but that matters little in the presence of a well-stocked communal kitchen. Free rental bicycles and guitars scatter the common areas, waiting to be used. The party, as you might imagine, starts early and ends late -- if at all.

Budget Hotels

The Bocas landmark of Hotel Olas pops sunny and orange over the southern beach of Bocas Town, seemingly peering over the water from atop its stilts. The hotel's simple, comfortable rooms are a fine fit for small families, set comfortably apart from loud downtown bars. Each room is en suite, with hot water, air conditioning, TV and cozy communal balconies. There's a small bar and restaurant on-site.

Hotel Tierra Verde requires a small mission to reach: first, a boat ride to tiny Isla Carenero from Bocas Town, and second, a 10-minute walk inland from the hotel's private dock. The hotel's slightly off-the-beaten-track location may dissuade party animals, but the serenity of the little property's verdant tropical setting makes up for the walk. Some of the simply furnished rooms have wrap-around balconies overlooking the jungle, while others face the sea. Each features air-conditioning, 24-hour hot water, orthopedic mattresses, a private bath and access to the hotel's many beachside hammocks. The surf-happy Panamanian owners live in the hotel, so they're generally on hand to set up local excursions or arrange a surprisingly inexpensive in-room massage.

Moderately Priced Hotels

Fodor's gave Hotel Bocas del Toro a "Fodor's Choice" nod for its excellent in-town location on the water, "superb staff" and "very clean rooms." Nautically themed and designed by a boat-builder, the place is a study in blue-and-white furnishings and polished wood. The hotel's rooms are nicely varied in size and price; all, however, are equipped with flat-screen TVs and orthopedic mattresses. The on-site restaurant puts diners outside in the ocean breeze, and the concierge cheerfully arranges day trips and massages for guests.

Around dinnertime, you can tell that Hotel Cala Luna is Italian-owned before you can even see the hotel's name: The titillating fragrance that pours from on-site restaurant magnetizes anyone with a taste for Italian cuisine. Comprising just a handful of rooms and a single suite, the hotel's all-wood construction, top-notch linens, tony mattresses and airy windows communicate a homeyness somewhat unique in Bocas. Each room is en-suite and provides a fan, small refrigerator, safe, hammock-strung balcony and air conditioning. The suite sleeps a family of five. Two roof lookouts provide a unique vantage point on the property's other eccentricity: planes occasionally coming in for a landing at the (very) nearby airport.

For Deep Pockets Only

Accessible only via a 15-minute boat ride from Bocas Town, the nine posh bungalows of Punta Caracol Acqua-Lodge are of the sort you imagine in a four-star island property: standing on pilings over the water, accessed by wooden walkways stretching over the striking blue of the ocean. The living room in each suite opens onto its own wide porch -- with, of course, a private ladder into the water below. Enjoy the enormous property, which includes 150 acres of rain forest, including its own mangrove reserve, with snorkeling, kayaking and candlelight dinners included in the nightly rate.

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About the Author

Annette O'Neil is an air sports athlete, digital nomad, full-time traveler and yogini. A writer for more than a decade, O'Neil has written copy, content and editorial articles for hundreds of clients and publications, including Blue Skies Magazine and Whole Life Times.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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